Nearly 25 percent of metro Denver employers are planning to add workers in 2013, according to a forecast at the Colorado Real Estate and Economic Forum.

Patty Silverstein, president and chief economist for Development Research Partners, presented the 2013 economic forecast for the Denver metro area, citing such worldwide factors as the global economic slowdown, tension in the Middle East and the U.S. drought that will impact economic growth locally. Positives include low inflation, a labor surplus and excellent real estate opportunities.

Silverstein said much of the area’s growth will be sparked by aerospace and aviation, bioscience, broadcasting and telecommunications, energy, financial services, health care and IT/software. She said opportunities in real estate will be fueled by low interest and inflation rates, stronger consumer spending, active home sales with low inventory, and the improving commercial segment of the real estate business.

David Ikenberry and Richard Wobbekind of the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business reviewed the school’s key initiatives, including a revised core curriculum and an honors program.

They said factors expected to help the economic recovery in 2013 include increased jobs as the year progresses, the housing market recovery, and solid balance sheets for businesses, households and banks. DIA continues to act as a catalyst for growth locally, and agriculture is among Colorado’s best performing industries.

Sherman Miller and Tom Thibodeau of the CU Real Estate Center cited advantages for economic growth in metro Denver, including a young population, retail sales growth and new retailers looking at the Denver market.

The Forum, held at the Hyatt Denver Tech Center on Wednesday (Feb. 20), was presented by Kentwood Real Estate. Kentwood CEO Peter Niederman reviewed the company’s performance in 2012, which shattered previous sales records with $1.7 billion in total volume.

Emilie Rusch covers retail and commercial real estate for The Post. A Wisconsin native and Mizzou graduate, she moved to Colorado in 2012. Before that, she worked at a small daily newspaper in South Dakota. It's the one with Mount Rushmore.